Bikes, bikes, bikes. Bicycles. New ones. Old ones. Parts. Tire pressure. Functional Threshold Power. Head tube angle. Chainstay length. Hydration. Safety. Advocacy and infrastructure.
During the holidays, I end up at a variety of gatherings, and when people talk to me, they bring up bikes, because it’s what I do. I often get introduced as a bike guy, and people have questions or opinions they want to express. I try to nod and smile and let it all play out.
It’s not that I don’t like to talk about bikes. It’s just that I do it an awful lot, and there are other things that might be worth discussing. This is part of the reason I started Hokem magazine with my friend Bob.
It’s Boxing Day today, and I’m going to spend as much of it as I can watching Premier League Football. I was gifted a love of football (the real football) from my Welsh father, and it’s been a constant in my life for more than 40 years. I played weekly (until recently), and I’ve washed the English topflight since the early ’90s when it first started to creep onto American TV screens.
I love music. My preferences are for loud, distorted, angular sounds, but I really like it all. I spend a lot of time looking for new artists. I go to a lot of live shows. We talk about music constantly on the Revolting podcast.
I’m a big reader too. I’m currently embroiled in a Japanese crime novel, but I try to keep up with the Booker prize novels and other literary fiction. I read about physics and biology, a bit of philosophy. I’m not nearly as clever as my reading list might suggest, but I’m trying. I’m trying.
The thing is, none of us is one-dimensional, even when we crowd around this one thing and discuss it ad nauseum. Oh, I’m an avid bird noticer too. And I cook a lot.
This week’s TCI Friday wonders: What else are you into?
Happy Christmas Robot and all TCI readers. Well Robot, bikes are your work, but for those of us who work but not in bikes, work takes up a lot of mindshare. But recreationally, I’m into rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, church, kids, mentoring young business leaders and still chase my wife around. I have to say every decade seems to get better so far! (55 now.)
I like to look at planets. Mostly Saturn and Jupiter as they are the most interesting.
Trees, punk rock, clean energy, food.
I have many interests that have waxed and waned over the years, but here are some currently outside of bikedom.
Music (listening constantly, playing not as much in the past), reading, graphics, critter noticing, exploring abandoned places, meandering through places I am not familiar with. Other sporting activities: Snowboarding, skateboarding, running and a wee amount of gym time/weight training.
I don’t understand the question. What is this “else” of which you write?
That’s not entirely a joke. What does it say about me that I struggled to come up with more than just a half-hearted list?
Then it occurred to me—what podcasts do I listen to? So, in the order of their placement in my podcast app: US politics/current issues/headline news/general opinion, tech, F1. I should add (not from my podcast list, but currently top of mind): Nordic skiing/biathlon, Alpine skiing, sailing.
First, your picture of your records…have to tell a story.
Years ago, we smelled gas in our place and called the FD. They arrived, brought some fans, opened windows, etc. Meanwhile, we’re upstairs with a higher ranking guy and a younger FD guy. The young guy sees my records in the bookcase and asks “What are those?”. Really.
Anyways, skiing is my thing. The joy I get from a good powder day is like nothing else. I’m like a little kid. It’s hard to explain to people, and I don’t even try. Even just a nice winter day, being outside on the snow is a good day.
Other than that, just being outside – walking, hiking, riding, kayak, sail, etc…….
The passions which have stood the test of my 60 years are (not in order of any kind as the top seeds rotate and change with life’s curveballs and the weather)
road cycling- photography- music (drums) crafting (for music) and food (former chef)
I’ll add something new in that list periodically but it always seems to boil down to those when it’s said and done. It works.
You’re (sic) mom.
Gross.